UTEP introduces new slogan for 2017-18 athletics

Wednesday afternoon, the UTEP athletic department announced its 2017-2018 slogan: "We are Miners."

The athletic department chose this theme for the upcoming season to let the community know that they are a key part of the team's success through their unyielding support.

"We're dedicated to El Paso," said UTEP head football coach Sean Kugler. "We have over 30 players on our team from El Paso right now, and that's one-third of our team - and very prominent players on our team, including our starting quarterback."

UTEP also unveiled new gourmet food choices for fans to enjoy during home football and basketball games including a bruschetta burger and southwest chicken sandwich.

The department released the slogan at a news conference Wednesday at the UTEP Bookstore.

"Every athletic department kind of reinvents itself, has a new theme," said UTEP Director of Athletics Bob Stull. "Usually we release it on a normal press release kind of thing. But we wanted to kick things off kind of quicker and let you know what we're doing."

This upcoming season, all of UTEP's home games will have a theme that is geared towards recognizing and celebrating people in the El Paso community. The Miners will kick-off their home football schedule against Rice on September 9, the theme of the game will be "Hometown Hero's Night."

The following game will against Arizona on September 15, will be "Military Night."

The Miner homecoming game against Western Kentucky on Oct. 7 will also be "Youth Football Night." When the Miners face UTSA on Oct. 28, the theme of the game will be "Spirit Night". In the final home game of the regular season when the Miners are set to face Louisiana Tech, local teachers will be honored as part of "Teacher Education Night."

Along with the themes throughout the season, following the conclusion of each home game, fans in attendance will be allowed on to the field.